Snow Skiing in the Desert
Even though most folks think of Arizona as a hotspot, there are four snow ski areas in the state, allowing you to be on the slopes in a matter of hours.
In the Flagstaff area, you’ll find Fairfield Snowbowl on the slopes of the San Francisco Peaks, Sunrise, and Bill Williams Mountain. Additionally, Sunrise Ski Area, with the state’s most extensive facility is located 200 miles northeast of Phoenix on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. Cross country skiing is plentiful in the north with popular trails near Flagstaff, Mormon Kale, Greer, and Springerville.
A most comprehensive winter site on skiing in Arizona. Everything you want to know about skiing in this winter wonderland. Full of pictures and information done by a certified Alpine Ski Instructor.
Weather looking good for ski resorts
Sunshine, mostly clear skies and an extra day, make this a great weekend to head up to Arizona’s ski and snowboard resorts. The Arizona Snowbowl has anywhere from 23 to 46 inches of powder on its slopes. Three of four lifts and 60 percent of the trails are open, according to the Snowbowl daily ski report.
The Snowbowl is expected to see highs in the upper 30s to low 40s, with a slight chance of snow showers Sunday and into Monday, according to the National Weather Service. 100 percent of all three of the peaks at The Sunrise Park Resort are open, and three to four inches of snow in the last 24 hours set the snow depth at anywhere from 46 to 65 inches, according to the Sunrise Park Resort ski report.
Patchy fog this morning is expected to give way to clear skies and highs in the low 50s. Friday and Saturday temperatures are expected to remain in the 50s with clear skies. Clouds bring lower temperatures and a chance of rain and snow showers on Sunday, with snow showers expected to last into Monday.
By Joseph W. Cox
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 15, 2007
Downhill Skiing 
Apache Sunrise, McNary, 215 miles northeast of Phoenix. (800) 772-7669 Sunrise is the largest ski area in the state and has the most extensive intermediate runs. It includes 800 acres of skiable terrain. Terrain is rated 20 percent advanced, 40 percent intermediate, and 40 percent beginner. Lodging is available at Sunrise as well as in the nearby communites of Greer, Pinetop, Lakeside, Show Low and Springerville.
Fairfield Snowbowl US 180 , 8 miles north of Flagstaff. Snowbowl with a 2,300 foot vertical has the best advanced terrain in the state and incredible views at the top of the lift near Mt. Agassiz. The terrain is 30 percent advanced, 45 percent intermediate and 25 percent beginner. Snowbowl has two mountain lodges, Agassiz and Hart Prairie. Lodging is also available in Flagstaff.
Cross Country Skiing
Alpine Adventures
Williams Valley northwest of Alpine. Six miles of groomed trails. Ski and snowmobile rental available nearby.
Forest Lakes Touring Center
36 miles northeast of Payson on AZ 260 (928) 535-4047 Twenty-two miles of groomed trails and 40 miles of marked, but ungroomed trails at 7,700 foot elevation.
Flagstaff Nordic Center
16 miles north of Flagstaff and 9 miles north of the Snowbowl turnoff on US 180 (928) 779-1951 Twenty-five miles of trails at 8-9,000 feet.
Mormon Lake Ski Touring Center
25 miles southeast of Flagstaff near Mormon Lake. Sixteen miles of trails in Dairy Spring Canyon and around the base of Mormon Mountain.
Hannagan Meadow Lodge
22 miles south of Alpine on US 666. Twenty-five miles of marked trails at an elevation of 9,100 feet.
Williams and Sunrise Ski areas also have cross country ski areas.
Phoenix Ski Club
PO Box 16204, Phoenix, AZ 85011 (602) 277-3984 Alpine skiing, skiing education, ski trips. Also water skiing, camping, bicycling, 4-wheeling.
Alpine Ski Club
PO Box 32264, Phoenix, AZ 85064 (602) 992-9394 Downhill skiing, 100+ trips per year.
Sunrise Ski Area
(800) 555-6835
Owned and operated by the White Mountain Apache Indian Tribe, this popular ski area boasts one of America’s longest ski lifts. (520) 367-4290. From Phoenix, it’s 215 miles.
On The Snow
Ski & Snow Reports!
High on the slopes of Mount Agassiz is one of the state’s most popular ski resorts, Arizona Snow Bowl, only a short drive from Flagstaff, where all kinds of accommodations are ample. Arizona Snow Bowl (520) 779-1951
Snowboarding
skateboarding and waterboards by catalog, right here in Arizona. These guys have the best boards around – skiboards, waterboards and skateboards. Have yours custom made!
Snow Conditions
For North American Ski & Snowboard areas
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